Interactive Simulation on Aging
Students for Interprofessional Education (3/27/2013)
Attending the Interactive Simulation on
Aging last week helped me realize the physical challenges the elderly face in
performing routine tasks. As part of the aging simulation, we were in small
groups that consisted of health students and health professionals from numerous
health areas such as nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and dental. We first wore glasses which obscured our
vision and tried to read and open a prescription bottle. Next we wore gloves with stiff fingers that
simulated arthritis and tried to write a check and button a shirt. I never realized how difficult simple tasks
such as reading a prescription or writing a check could be for the elderly and
I will definitely keep that in mind as I work with elderly patients in the
future. Following the physical
challenges simulation, we worked as a healthcare team to treat a simulated
patient case about a woman who was brought into the ER for an assessment. We looked at the lab values, thought of tests
that need to be ordered, discussed her healthcare cost and insurance situation,
and thought of different types of healthcare professionals we should to
collaborate with to provide her the best possible treatment. I really enjoyed attending the event, gaining
a better understanding of aging issues, and meeting health students and professionals
from various health fields. I look
forward to using a collaborative approach to patient care as a future health
professional!
More information about aging events can
be found here: http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/agingstudies/calender.shtml
Aging resources:
